Description
Sizzling ground beef lettuce wraps deliver a zesty Asian-inspired meal that dances with bold flavors and fresh textures. Crisp lettuce cups cradle spicy seasoned meat, offering a light yet satisfying dining experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (lean or 80/20)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 2 green onions, chopped
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if using lean beef)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (or substitute with extra soy sauce for lower sugar)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional, for depth of flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Serving:
- 1 head of butter lettuce or romaine lettuce, leaves separated
Instructions
- Sear the ground beef in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat, methodically breaking down the meat with a wooden spoon until it develops a rich, caramelized brown color and releases its savory juices.
- Introduce finely chopped aromatics – pungent onions, minced garlic, and zesty ginger – directly into the browned meat, stirring continuously to infuse deep, complex flavors throughout the protein.
- Craft a vibrant sauce by whisking together umami-rich soy sauce, sweet hoisin, tangy rice vinegar, robust oyster sauce, nutty sesame oil, and a sprinkle of fiery red pepper flakes, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and intensify.
- Incorporate julienned carrots and half the sliced green onions into the beef mixture, gently folding to distribute the vegetables and create a balanced, textural filling.
- Carefully nestle the aromatic beef mixture into crisp, verdant lettuce leaves, creating a light, refreshing vessel for the robust filling.
- Garnish the wraps with remaining green onions and a delicate shower of toasted sesame seeds, providing a final layer of brightness and crunch before serving immediately.
Notes
- Select crisp, sturdy lettuce like iceberg or butter lettuce for easier wrapping and sturdier base.
- Drain excess fat completely to prevent soggy or greasy filling, ensuring a cleaner, lighter texture.
- Experiment with lean ground meats like turkey or chicken for healthier protein alternatives.
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes to suit individual heat preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg